Control system for wash water storage and re-use system



Nov. 8, 1960 w. H. HENSHAW, JR ,9

CQNTROL SYSTEM FOR WASH WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 4, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'IGJ .L

I 22 273 wumumm A a k I IN VEN TOR.

WALLACE H. HENSHAW 7R.

wf An 1 HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1960 w. H. HENSHAW, JR 2,959,042

common SYSTEM FOR WASH WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 4, 1960 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WALLACE H. HENSHAW :ra.

ms ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1960 W. H. HENSHAW, JR

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WASH WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 4, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 570. as \J 9 80 8| 39 as L M87 V4 73 67 e4- j g as 76 /IOZ F '6. 4 muss PAUE SPIN PAUSE PAUSE AGITATEH PAUSE OFF CAM |-wAsH AGITATEQHIKFsPm -II I y I/P-spm! L I I. I LT INVENTOR.

WALLACE H. HENSHAW 7R.

BYMWM HIS ATTORNEY nited States Patent CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WASH WATER STORAGE AND RE-USE SYSTEM Wallace H. Henshaw, Jr., Trumbull, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 4, 1960, Ser- No. 394

6 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) My invention relates to automatic washing machines, and more particularly to such machines including a wash water storage and re-use system for storing the wash water after the washing operation and then returning it to the machine for use in a subsequent operation.

By means of a wash water storage and re-use system, commonly called a suds saver system, the hot sudsy wash water used in the washing step of the automatic clothes washing machine may be passed into a suitable storage reservoir after the washing step is completed rather than being discharged to the drain. The sudsy water is retained in the reservoir until the washing machine completes its cycle of operation and the clothes are taken out of the machine. Then, when another load of clothes is placed in the machine, the system is efiective to return the sudsy water from the reservoir to the washing container for washing the second load of clothes. This re-use of the sudsy water, of course, provides appreciable savings in both hot water and detergent.

To pass the wash water to the reservoir for storage, the storage and re-use systems ordinarily utilize the drain pump of the washing machine. Suitable conduits and valve means are connected to the drain pump whereby the wash water may be conducted to the reservoir as the pump empties the machine. The drain pump cannot, however, ordinarily be used to return the water from the reservoir to the machine, and therefore a separate return pump is provided for that purpose. The return pump is arranged with its inlet connected to the storage reservoir and with its outlet connected to the washing container of the machine, and upon its operation it is eifective to withdraw the stored water from the reservoir and pass it back into the washing container.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a new and improved electrical control system for washing machines including a wash water storage and re-use system, whereby after initially setting the return pump in operation, the operator may then leave the machine and it will automatically proceed into and complete its normal cycle of operation after all the stored liquid is returned to the washing container.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a control system including automatic switch means for automatically controlling the return pump by virtue of providing the inlet valve solenoid and the return pump with difierent impedances so that when both are in the circuit only the solenoid is energized and when the solenoid is short-circuited the pump is energized whereby a manual selection may be made of either fresh water by energization of the solenoid or return water by energization of the pump,

A further object of my invention is to provide a control system of the type described above wherein, in addition, a drive motor will be included in the circuit, the drive motor not being energized until all the other elements are short-circuited by water level responsive means whereby operation of the drive motor for efiecting the 2,959,642 Patented Nov. 8, 1960 washing operation does not occur until all the water has been returned to the machine.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a container arrangement whereby operation of the machine will start even though the amount of liquid returned by the return pump is less than that generally provided for operation of the machine, so that in the event of a leaky storage reservoir the operation of the machine will not be impaired.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a washing machine which has the conventional water container with a low-impedance motor connected in driving relation to washing means in the container. Also, the usual means for supplying fresh water to the container including highimpedance valve-controlling solenoid means are provided. When the solenoid means is energized, fresh water is supplied to the container. The system also includes the conventional provision of means for draining the container.

In combination with this structure, a wash water storage and re-use system is provided so that liquid drained from the container may be stored in a storage reservoir. This includes an intermediate-impedance return pump and conduit means for returning the stored liquid from the reservoir back into the container so that wash water may be used over when so desired. When the solenoid means is to be energized, a first energizing circuit is provided which includes the solenoid means, the pump and the motor means in series relation: because the impedance of the solenoid means is substantially higher than that of the other components in the circuit, the provision of this circuit causes energization of the solenoid means without energization of the other components. When water is to be returned, a second circuit is provided which includes the pump and the motor means in series relationship but with the solenoid means short-circuited; with this second circuit, the impedance of the pump is sufficiently higher than that of the motor means so that the pump operates and the motor means does not. A third circuit which energizes the motor means includes the motor means but provides a short circuit around both the pump and the solenoid means. Either one of the first and second circuits may be selected by appropriate manual means so that either fresh water or stored Water may be used for the washing operation. The third circuit is provided by virtue of suitable means such as a water level responsive switch associated with a container which, when there is a predetermined amount of water in the container, shorts out the solenoid means and the pump so as to provide the third circuit and start the washing operation.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention-is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. My invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the clothes washing machine including a wash water storage and re-use system suitable for control by my new and improved control system, the view being partially broken away and partially in section to show details;

Figure 2 is a schematic showing of the storage and reuse system;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of my new and improved control system; and

Figure 4 is a cam chart showing in extended form the surfaces of the various timer driven cams. included in i the control system of Figure 3, thereby to illustrate the sequence of operation of the switches controlled by the cams.

Referring now to Figure 1, I have shown therein an agitator type clothes washing machine 1 which is provided with a wash Water storage and re-use system suitable for control by my new and improvedcontr'ol system. This control system will be explained hereafter in detail. The machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 which is disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 3, the basket and tub together forming suitable water containing means. The tub 3 in turn is mounted within an outer appearance cabinet 4. At the center of the wash basket 2 there is positioned a vertical axis agitator 5 which includes a center post 6 and a plurality of radially extending vanes 7. The agitator is further provided with an outwardly and downwardly flared skirt 8 to which the vanes 7 are joined at their lower ends.

Both the clothes basket 2 and the agitator 5 are rotatably mounted. Specifically, the basket 2 is mounted on a flange 9 of a rotatable hub 10, and the agitator 5 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through the hub 16 and the center post 6. The agitator is secured to the shaft by means of an internally threaded outer cap 11 at the top of the center post. During the cycle of operation of the machine, the agitator 5 is first oscillated back and forth within the basket 2 to wash the clothes therein. Then, after a predetermined period of this washing action, the basket is rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the washing liquid and discharge it into the outer tub 3. Following this ex traction operation a supply of clean rinse water is introduced into the washing basket for rinsing the clothes, and the agitator is again oscillated. Finally, the wash basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water and discharge it into the outer tub. Preferably the first extraction operation following the washing operation is divided into two separate stages of basket rotation separated by a pause during which the basket does not rotate. The provision of this pause, it has been found, aids greatly in avoiding suds locking of the basket.

' The basket 2 and the agitator 5 may be driven by any suitable means since their drive means form no part of the present invention. However, by way of example, I have shown them as driven from a reversible motor 12. The motor 12 drives the basket and agitator through a drive including a clutch 13 which is mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch 13 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load as it comes up to speed. The clutch is connected by a suitable belt 14 to the input pulley 15 of a transmission assembly 16, and it is efiective to drive the pulley 15 in both directions of motor rotation. 'Ihus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, the input pulley of the transmission is driven in opposite directions.

The transmission 16 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 10. When the pulley 15 is driven in one direction by the clutch 13, the transmission causes the agitator 5 to oscillate within the basket 2. Conversely, when the pulley 15 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission drives the wash basket -at high speed for centrifugal extraction. Thus, the operation carried out, that is, agitation or centrifugal extraction, is controlled by the direction of rotation of the drive motor, agitation occurring when the motor turns in one direction and centrifugal extraction occurring when it turns in the other direction. Although the drive mechanism forms no part of the present invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225, issued on July 22, 1958, to James R. Hubbard et a1. and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. That application discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission assembly suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In order to drain or empty the machine during the centrifugal extraction operation, there is provided a pump 17 which is secured to the bottom wall of the tub 3 and which withdraws liquid from the tub through a suitable baflie assembly 18. The liquid in the basket 2 is, of course, discharged into the tub 3 through openings. 18a adjacent the top of the basket during the extraction operation as a result of the centrifugal force created by the basket rotation, and thus it as well as any liquid originally in the tub is drained from the machine by the pump 17. The pump 17 is driven by the motor 12 through a flexible coupling 19 and during the centrifugal extraction operation it discharges into a hose or conduit 20 which leads to valve means forming part of the wash'water storage and re-use system. Any suitable drain pump may be used, but in the illustrated machine these is shown a bidirectional pump which discharges into one of two out lets depending upon the direction of pump rotation. A directional pump of this type is described in detail and is claimed in Patent 2,883,843, issued on April 28, 1959, to John Bochan and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As mentioned above, during the centrifugal extraction operation the bi-directional pump 17 discharges through its one outlet into the hose 20 for either storing the liquid or discharging it to a drain. During the washing and rinsing operations the pump discharges into a second outlet connected toa hose 21. Hose 21 leads to a nozzle 22 which discharges into a filter 23 mounted on the center post of the agitator 5. The hose 21 and filter 23 so combined with the bi-directional pump form a recirculation system for continuously cleaning and filtering the wash liquid during the washing operation, the water continually overflowing through openings 18a and then being pumped back into basket 2 through the filter. In summary, with regard to the pump 17, it will thus be under stood that due to the change in the direction of rotation of the pump, the liquid in the tub 3 is discharged to the hose 20 during the extraction operations, but is continuously circulated through the recirculation hose 21 during the washing and rinsing operations.

Connected to the hose 20 is a wash water storage and re-use system whereby the liquid discharged from the tub 3 during the first centrifugal extraction operation following the washing operation either may be discharged to a suitable drain, or else may be stored in a set tub or other reservoir while the machine completes its cycle of operation and then be returned to the machine for use in another washing operation. The arrangement of a storage and re-use system of this type, including its conduits, valve means, andpump means, is fully described and claimed in the copending application Serial No. 626,702 of Philip H. Houser, filed on December'fi, 1956, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and it comprises one suitable storage and reuse system with which my new and improved control Systemv may be employed.

Referring to Figure 2 now in conjunction with Figure l, the storage and return system includes valve means in the form of a two-way valve 24. Valve 24, as shown, is incorporated in the same casing 25 as a completely separate shut-off valve 26. The two-way valve 24- includes a central inlet port 27 which is connected to the discharge hose 20 of the tub and two separate outlet ports 28 and 29 which are connected respectively to a drain hose 30 and a storage hose 31. Both of the hoses or conduits 30 and 31 extendout of the casing 4 of the washing machine and, as may best be seen in Figure 2, the drain hose 30 has its discharge end adapted for emptying into a drain 32 which leads directly to the household waste line. The storage hose 31 on the other hand has its outer end disposed within a suitable storage reservoir 33 which is here shown as a common household set tub. It will thus be seen that if the flow is discharged from the valve 24 to the drain hose 30 it will be emptied into the drain 32 and the household: waste line. Conversely,

if it is passed outwardly to the hose 31 it will be discharged into the reservoir 33 for storage.

In order to control which of the hoses 30 or 31 carries the flow, that is, in order to control whether the liquid is emptied into the drain or stored, the valve 24 is controlled by a solenoid 34 through a control lever 35. When the solenoid 34 is de-energized the lever 35 is in the position shown in Figure 1. In this position, as is fully described in the aforesaid Houser application, port 28 leading to the drain hose is open and port 29 leading to the storage hose is closed. Conversely, when the solenoid 34 is energized, the lever 35 is pivoted against the action of spring 37, and as a result port 28 is closed and the port 29 is opened. In other words, in the de-energized position of the solenoid communication is provided between the inlet port 27 and the drain port 28, whereas when the solenoid is energized communication is provided between the inlet port 27 and the storage port 29. Thus, if it is desired to store the wash water, solenoid 34 is energized during the centrifugal extraction operation following the washing operation. However, if it is not desired to store the wash water, then the solenoid is left de-energized and the water is passed to the drain through the port 28 and the hose 30.

In order to return the stored water from the reservoir or tub 33 when it is desired to re-use it for washing another load of clothes, there is provided in the system a return pump 38 which includes a separate fan cooled electric motor 39. The intake of the return pump 38 is connected to the storage hose 31 at a point 40 intermediate its ends by means of a relatively short conduit or hose 41, and the outlet of the pump is connected to the inlet port 42 of the shut-off valve 26 by means of another relatively short conduit or hose 43. Thus, it will be seen that when the return pump 38 is operated it is effective to withdraw the stored liquid from the tub 33 through the outer portion of the storage hose 31 and the hose 41 and discharge it through the hose 43 to the inlet port 42 of the shut-off valve 26.

Shut-off valve 26 is provided with a single outlet port 44. Connection between the inlet port 42 and the outlet port 44 is controlled by the same solenoid 34 and lever 35 which control the operation of valve 24. When the solenoid is in its illustrated or de-energized position the inlet 42 and outlet 44 of the shut-off valve are in communication, and when the solenoid is energized communication between the inlet and outlet is closed. This valve arrangement is described in detail in the aforesaid Houser application together with all other features of the valve and conduit arrangement.

The outlet 44 of the shut-off valve 26 is connected to a return hose 45 which is adapted to discharge into the basket 2. Specifically, the hose or conduit 45 extends upwardly within the casing of the machine 1 to a point above the wash basket 2, and at its upper end is provided with a discharge nozzle 46 which discharges the stored liquid into the basket 2 through the open top thereof. In summary, the conduit system for returning the stored liquid from the reservoir 33 to the wash basket 2 thus comprises the outer portion of the hose 31 and the hose 41 from the reservoir to the return pump 38. From the pump 38 the stored liquid then passes through the hose 43, the shut-off valve 26 and the hose 45 into the wash basket.

My invention is particularly directed to an improved control arrangement for controlling the operation of the motor 39 of the return pump 38. Since this control arrangement is primarily electrical in nature, it may best be understood by providing a detailed description of the control system of the washing machine 1 as set forth in Figure 3. In describing the system of Figure 3, it will be understood that while it is intended to represent the control system for an entire machine, most modern machines include additional features such as fluorescent lights, detergent dispensers, water savers and the like,

which are susceptible of electrical control and may alsobe incorporated into the washing machine control system. These are not included in the present control system in order to enhance the clarity of description of the systemand its application to the present invention.

In order to control the sequence of operation of the machine 1, the system includes a timer or control motor 47 which drives a plurality of cams 48, 49, 50 and 51.

' and switch 57a is closed. This may be effected in the usual manner, for instance, by rotation of a dial 58 (Figure 1) provided on the back-splasher 59 of machine 1 to the starting position.

Switch 52 includes three contacts 60, 61 and 62; cam 48 may either cause all three contacts to be out of engagement with each other, or may cause contact 60 to engage contact 61, or as a third possibility may cause all three contacts to be engaged with each other. At the initial part of a cycle, as shown in Figure 4, cam 48 moves from its open position to its intermediate position, that is, the position where contacts 60 and 61 are in engage ment. A connection is thus completed from conductor 56 through switch 52 to a conductor 63. Conductor 63 connects with three conductors 64, 65 and 66. Conductor '64 extends through a manually operable switch 67 to a solenoid 68 which controls a water valve 69. Water valve 69 may be arranged to control the flow of the inlet flow of fresh cold water to the basket 2. In addition a conductor 70 is connected to conductor 64 at one end thereof and to a stationary contact 71 of switch 53 at its other end. Switch 53 has a contact 72 movable by cam 49 which may either assume an up position to engage contact 71 or a down position in which it engages a contact 73 and a contact 74. In the up posi-' tion of contact 72, contacts 73 and 74 are disengaged from each other.

Conductor 66 extends to a solenoid 75 which controls a valve 76, and valve 76 in turn controls the inlet flow of fresh hot water to the basket 2. A manual switch 77 is provided to permit opening of the connection between conductor 63 and solenoid 75 in the same manner that switch 67 permits disconnection of solenoid 68 from the conductor 63. Conductor 66 also connects with a conductor 78 extending into engagement with the previously mentioned contact 73. As will be fully explained in connection with the operation of the machine the closing of manual switch 67 causes a warm water wash rather than a hot water wash to be provided when fresh water is used, and the closing of switch 77 permits a warm water rinse rather than a cold water rinse to be pro vided. Both these switches effect the desired result in the same manner, switch 67 by connecting solenoid 68 to conductor 63 regardless of the position of switch 53, and switch 77 by connecting solenoid 75 to conductor 63 regardless of the position of switch 53.

Both solenoids are connected on their other side to a conductor 79 which joins a pair of conductors 80 and 81. Conductor 81 extends through the return pump motor 39 to a conductor 82. From conductor 82 a parallel circuit is provided through timer motor 47 on the one hand and through the windings of drive motor 12 on the other hand. The timer motor circuit extends through conductor 83, the timer motor, and conductor 84 to switch 57a. Part of the drive motor circuit extends through the main winding 85 thereof which is connected directly to conductor 82 on one side and on its other side to a motor protector 86 and a'conductor 87 which may be joined through contact 88 of switch 55 and conductor 89 to the conductor 84. In addition, in the position shown,

another parallel circuit is provided through the start winding 90 of the motor which is connected to conductor 82 through a contact arm 91 of switch 54, then through the start winding itself, a switch 92 controlled by a centrifugal device 93 provided in the motor, contact arm 94 of switch 54, stationary contact 95, and the conductor 96 to the motor protector 86. It will be understood that contact 92 is closed when the motor is at rest or rotating below a predeterminedspeed and that it opens to de-energize the start winding when the speed of the motor rises above' a predeterminedlevel so that the motor then continues to run on start winding 90 alone.

In order to permit reverse direction'of rotation of the motor, the two contact arms 91 and 94 are moved by cam 50 to cause contact arm 91 to move out of engagement with contact 97 and into engagement with contact 95 while at the same time the contact arm 94 moves out of engagement with contact 95 and into engagement with contact 98. This reverses the polarity of the start winding 90 relative to main winding 85 since the start winding circuit from conductor 82 proceeds through the contact arm 94, centrifugalswitch 92, the start winding itself, contact arm 91 and conductor 96 to the motor protector 86.

Returning to conductor 80, it extends through a manually operable switch 99 to a conductor 100 which connects at point 101 to a conductor 102 joined to contact 74. In addition, from point 101 a conductor 103 extends through a manually operable switch 104 to solenoid 34 which is then joined on its other side by a conductorv 105 'to a point between contact arm 91 and start winding 90.

To complete the description of the diiferent elements of the system of Figure 3 prior to explaining its operation, a pressure responsive switch 106 (also shown in Figures 1 and 2) is provided in a conductor 107 between conductors 63 and 82. The switch 106 is so positioned that when a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the bottom of tub 3 its pressure causes the switch 106 to close thereby completing a short circuit between the two conductors 63 and 82. In addition, a conductor 108 includes a contact 109 which is controlled by the centrifugal mechanism 93 of motor 12 so that it closes at the same predetermined speed at which contact 92 opens. It will be seen that this performs the same short-circuiting function as the pressure switch 106 across the two conductors 63 and 82.

Turning now to a description of the operation of the machine and in particular to the operation of the electrical control system of Figure 3, a washing cycle is initiated, as previously described, by the closing of switch 57a andby the movement of dial 58 to the start position as shown in Figure 4 where cam 48 causes contacts 60 and 61 to be engaged. It will be assumed for purposes of illustration that both switches 67 and 77 are closed thereby to provide a warm wash and a warm rinse. It will further be assumed that fresh water is to be provided for the washing operation and is to be passed out to drain thereafter, and that therefore manualswitches 99 and 104 are open. It will further be noted that at this point in the cycle cam 49 is in the position to close contacts 72, 73 and 74 together, that cam 50 is in the position to move contact arms 91 and 94 to the position shown, and that cam 51 closes switch 55.

With this arrangement, a complete energizing circuit for the solenoids 68 and 75 is provided as follows: starting with conductor 56, the circuit extends through contacts 60 and 61 to conductor 63. From conductor 63, parallel paths are provided: one passes through conductor 64, switch 67 and solenoid 68; the other passes through conductor 65, contacts 72 and '73, conductor '78 and solenoid 75: From thispoint the circuit continues through conductors 79 and 81, return pump motor 39,

conductor 82, drive motor winding 85, 'motor protector 86, conductor 87, switch 55, conductors 89 and 84 and switch 57a to conductor 57 at the other side of the line.

Also, the previously described parallel paths are pro-f vided through timer motor 47 and start winding 90.

As an important feature of my invention,-I provide the solenoids with a relatively high impedance, the return pump motor 39 with an intermediate impedance, and the main motor 12 with a low impedance relative to the others. As an example of this, which is given purely for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting, I may provide mysolenoids 68 and 75 with an impedance of 600 ohms each, the return pump motor 39 with an impedance of about 5 ohms, and the motor 12 (including both windings thereof) with an imped It will readily'be understood that if the 600 ohms value is applied to each soleance on the order of 1 ohm.

noid, even though they be in parallel they still provide an impedance of 300'ohms which is substantially more than either of the other two'components in the circuit. With the circuit described, the solenoids, the

return pump motor and the main motor are in series 2,000 ohms, but since the timer motor and the main mo-' tor are in parallel, relative to the solenoids and the return pump, it is the low impedance of the main motor that is the governing factor in the circuit. Thus the timer motor is not energized either at this time-because of its parallel relationship with the main motor.

The filling action, with the solenoids 68 and 75 energized, continues until such time as a sufficient amount of water passes out through the overflow apertures 18a at the top of basket 2 and through a single aperture 110 which is provided about three fifths of the way up the side of basket 2 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. As the water fills the basket 2 and overflows through opening 110 and openings 18a, it accumulates in the bottom of tub 3. When a sufficient amount has I accumulated the switch 106 is depressed to provide a short circuit through conductor 107 from conductor 63 to conductor 82. This provides a short circuit across both solenoids 68 and 75 and across the return pump motor 39 and thus connects the main drive motor '12 directly in an energizing circuit of its own which is as previously described with the single important exception that conductors 63 and 82 are directly connected through switch 106.

With the drive motor 12 being the only component in the system (other than the timer motor 47 in parallel therewith) both the timer motor and the drive motor start in operation, with the timer motor slowly rotating-the cams and with the drive motor providing oscillation of agitator 5 in the manner previously described.

, As the drive motor comes up to speed the contact 92 is opened to de-energize the start winding and the contact 109 is closed. The closing of contact 109 provides a continued short circuit between conductors 63 and 82 so that, even in the event that pump 17 (which operates in response to operation of motor 12) should pump out liquid through conduit 21 fast enough to permit switch 106 to open, the drive motor will continue to opcrate and the solenoids 68 and-75 will not be -re-energized. I The agitationwcontinuesto provide a washing operation until cam 51 opens switch 55. This de-energizes the drive motor; however, the timer motor continues to remain in the circuit and thus continues to operate. The de-energization of the drive motor causes the agitation to cease and during the resulting pause the cam 48 causes all three contacts 60, 61 and 62 to be engaged. Also cam 50 causes contact arms 91 and 94 to engage contacts 95 and 98 respectively to provide for an opposite polarity of the start winding 90 of the motor with respect to main winding 85. As a result, when the cam 51 closes switch 55 the main motor 12 starts up again in the opposite direction; as described previously this provides for a high speed rotation of the basket 2 to extract liquid from the clothes by centrifugal action, and provides draining of the water from the machine by pump 17 through conduit 30. Neither the valves 68 or 75 nor the return pump motor 39 can operate at this time since they are shorted by theengagement of contacts 61 and 62 and the main motor is connected directly to the source of power by the engagement of the three contacts 60, 61 and 62.

This action continues until the switch 55 is again opened at which point a second pause is provided; it has been found that this pause, after part of the spin operation, is beneficial in eliminating the problem of suds locking of the basket. After this pause the switch 55 closes once more to provide the remainder of the wash spin operation. Thereafter, switch 55 opens once again to stop motor 12. During the resulting pause cam 48 returns the switch 52 to the position in which only contacts 60 and 61 are in engagement, cam '49 causes contact 72 of switch 53 to engage contact 71 so that contacts 73 and 74 are disengaged, and cam 50 reverses the position of the two contact arms 91 and 94 back to their original status.

As a result, when switch 55 closes once again after this pause, the timer motor stops and the valve solenoids 68 and 75 are energized as before. It will be noted at this point that should switch 77 be opened the position of switch 53 will cause only the cold water valve solenoid to be energized. In other words, the cold water Valve solenoid is always energized during the rinse operation through switch 53, and the hot water solenoid energization is dependent on switch 77. Other than these changes resulting from the movement of contact 72, the energizing circuit for the solenoids is the same as before, and because of the relative impedances the return pump motor 39, the main motor 12, and the timer motor 47 all remain unenergized.

Once again, when the switch 106 is tripped by the accumulation of water at the bottom of tub 3 the solenoids are shorted out to cause operation of the main motor 12 to provide agitation and to provide energization of timer motor 47. In this manner a rinsing operation with clear Water is provided. At the end of this operation the timer motor causes the switch 55 to open once again to stop the drive motor and during the ensuing pause cam 48 once more causes all three contacts 60, 61 and 62 to engage and cam 50 reverses the position of contact arms 91 and 94. Because of this, when the switch 55 is reclosed another spin operation is provided in the same manner as before. At the end of this spin operation the cam 48 opens all three contacts 60, 61 and 62 to terminate the operation and remove power from all components of the machine.

During the first spin operation, with the assumption that switch 104 had not been closed, the reverse rotation of the motor causes the pump 17 to pump the used wash liquid out through conduit 20 and then through ports 27 and 28 of valve 24 to conduit 30 and the drain. However, if it be assumed instead that switch 104 had been closed then, during the first spin operation, the position of contact arms 91 and 94 would have permitted completion of an energizing circuit for solenoid 34 through the following circuit: From conductor 63,

10 through conductor 65, contacts 72, 73 and 7 4, conductors 102 and 103, switch 104, the solenoid 34, conductor 105, contact arm 91, conductor 96, motor protector 86, conductor 87, switch 55, and conductors 89 and 84. As a result, during the first spin operation valve 34 would have been energized, and as previously explained this would have caused the flow through the valve 24 to pass from inlet port 27 to outlet port 29 and then through conduit 30 to the reservoir 33 so that the wash water would have been saved. This arrangement is fully de-.

scribed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 627,821, filed December 12, 1956, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It will also be noted that this will not repeat itself during the rinse operation because the position of switch 53 would separate contacts 73 and 74 and thus prevent any further energization of solenoid 34.

In summary, it will be seen from the foregoing that a regular washing cycle is provided and that, dependent upon the position of manually set switch 104, the used wash water may either be passed out through the drain or may be saved in reservoir 33 for re-use. For purposes of explanation let it be assumed that this wash water was saved and that in a subsequent operation it is then desired to re-use this wash water instead of introducing clean wash water by energization of solenoids 68 and 75.

In order to effect this, the manually operable switch 99 is moved to closed position as opposed to the open position provided for the previously described operation. As a result, the closing of contacts 60 and 61 provides the following energizing circuit for the return pump motor 39: from conductor 56, the circuit extends through the contacts '60 and 61, conductor 63, conductor 65, contacts 72, 73 and 74, conductor 102, conductor 100, switch 99, conductors and 81, and then through the return pump motor, the conductor 82, and the main motor 12 in the same manner as before back to conductor 57. It will be observed that this action has the effect of shorting out the solenoids 68 and 75, since, because of the closing of switch 99, there is no voltage drop between conductors 63 and 79.

With only the return pump 39 and the drive motor 12 included in the energizing circuit, that is, with the solenoids 68 and 75 excluded, the impedance of the return pump motor is substantially more than that of the drive motor, and therefore the return pump motor becomes energized Whereas the drive motor does not. The energization of the return pump motor 39 causes the pump 38 to pull the water back from the reservoir 33 through conduits 31 and 41, the pump 38 itself, conduit 43, and conduit 45 so that the water comes out through opening 46 into the basket 2. With only the return pump 38 operating, all the water contained in reservor 33 is returned into basket 2. When all this water is returned it will, if the reservoir has no leak in it, overflow through openings 18a and and trip switch 106 in the same manner as before to shortcircuit the pump motor 39 and start operation of the timer motor 47 and of the drive motor 12. If, however, the reservoir should be somewhat leaky and the returned water should not rise up to the level of openings 1811 it will nonetheless flow out through opening 110 and, while it will take somewhat longer, the switch 106 will be tripped by the water accumulating in the bottom of tub 3 by flowing out through opening 110. It will at this point he recognized that the size of opening 110 should preferably be such that the water will not flow out quickly-enough to prevent the basket from becoming substantially full when fresh water is desired (i.e., it should be substantially smaller than the total area of openings 18a) but it should nonetheless be large enough to permit a flow of Water sufficient to trip the switch 106 in a suitable amount of time. In this connection, a inch hole has been found suitable with the machine commercially produced by the applicants assignee but it will be recognized that this particular size is not a limiting one.

All operations then continue as previously through to the end of the cycle. It will be observed that as a further feature of my invention the movement of switch 53 after the wash and prior to the rinse, whereby contact 72 disengages contacts 73 and 74 and engages contact 71, opens the short circuit across the solenoids by separating contacts 73 and 74. As a result, with the short circuit thus opened, solenoids 68 and 75 are once again placed in series with the return pump motor 39 and the drive motor 12 at the beginning of the rinse operation. Thus fresh water from'the source of supply is provided in basket 2 at this time regardless of the fact that switch 99 may be closed.

-It will be seen from the foregoing that the arrangement, by proper variation of the impedances of the various components, and by providing different numbers of them in series and short-circulting others out at different times, provides a system for energizing the return pump motor 39 at the appropriate time as a result of the closing of manual switch 99, with all other functions of the machine continuing to be provided automatically in the proper sequence.

While in accordance with the patent statutes 1 have shown what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modificatIons as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A washing machine comprising: water containing means; means for washing clothes in said containing means; low-Impedance motor means connected to said washing means in driving relation thereto; means for supplying fresh water to said containing means including high-impedance valve-controlling solenoid means, energization of said solenoid means causing water to be supplfed to said containing means; means for draining said containing means; a wash water storage and re-use system comprising means for storing liquid drained from said containing means in a storage reservoir; means including an intermediate-impedance return pump and conduit means for returning the stored liquid from said reservoir back into said containing means; a first circuit for energizing said solenoid means including said solenoid means, said pump, and said motor means in series relation; a second circuit for energizing said pump including said pump and said motor means in series relation and including a short circuit across said solenoid means; a third circuit for energizing said motor means including said motor means and including a short circuit across said pump and said solenoid means; manual means for selecting one of said first and second circuits; and water level responsive switch means associated with said containing means and effective in response to a predetermined amount of water in said containl'ng means to short said solenoid means and said pump thereby to provide said third circuit.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including a sequence timer motor connected in parallel with said drive motor means, and means controlled by said timer motor for providing a predetermined sequence of operation in said machine.

3. A washing machine comprising: water containing means; means for washing clothes in said container; lowimpedance drive motor means connected to said washing means in driving relation thereto; high-impedance timer motor means connected in parallel with said driving motor means; means for supplying fresh water to said containing means including high-impedance valve-controlling solenoid means, energization of said solenoid means causing water to be supplied to said containing means; means for draining said containing means; a wash water storage and re-use system comprising means for storing liquid drained from said containing meanslin a storage resevoir;

means including an intermediate-impedance return pump and conduit means for returning the stored liquid from said reservoir back into said containing means; a first circuit for energizing said solenoid means including said solenoid means, said pump, and said drive motor means in series relation; a second circuit for energizing said pump including said pump and said drive motor means in series relation including a short circuit across said solenoid means; a third circuit for energizing said drive motor means and said timer motor means including both said motor means and including a short circuit across said pump and said solenoid means; manual means for selecting one of said first and second circuits; water level responsive switch means associated with said containing means and effective in response to a predetermined amount of water in said containing means to short said solenoid means and said pump thereby to provide said third circuit; and a plurality of switches controlled by said timer motor means and operated thereby in a predetermined sequence thereby to provide a predetermined sequence of operation for said washing machine including a washing operation and a subsequent rinsing operation, one of said timer motor operated switches being moved to a first position during the washing operation which permits completion of said short circuit across said solenoid means when said manual means selects said second circuit, said one timer motor operated switch being moved to a second position during said rinsing operation in which said short circuit across sad solenoid means is open whereby said first circuit is provided regardless of the position of said manual means until said water level responsive switch means shorts said solenoid means and said pump.

4. A washing machine comprising: water containing means; means for supplying fresh water to said containing means including high-impedance valve-controlling solenoid means, energization of said solenoid means causing fresh water to be supplied to said containing means; means for draining said containing means; a wash water storage and re-use system comprising means for storing liquid drained from said containing means in a storage reservoir; means including a return pump having an impedance substantially lower than said solenoid means and conduit means for returning the stored liquid from said reservoir back into said containing means; a first circuit for energizing said solenoid means including said solenoid means and said pump in series relation; a second circuit for energizing said pump including said pump and including a short circuit across said solenoid means; manual means for selecting one of said first and second circuits; timing means including a plurality of switches for providing a predetermined sequence of operation in said washing machine including a washing operation and a subsequent rinsing operation, one of said switches having a first position during the washing operation in which said second circuit may be completed by said manual means, said one timer switch being moved to a second position during the rinsing operation in which said short circuit across said solenoid means is open whereby said first circuit is provided regardless of the position of said manual means; and water level responsive switch means associated with said containing means and effective in response to a predetermined amount of water in said containing means to short out both said solenoid means and said pump.

5. A washing machine comprising: water containing means including an outer imperforate tub and an inner clothes-containing receptacle having overflow openings adjacent its top and having at least one opening of substantially less area than said overflow openings at a position substantially below its top; means for washing clothes in said receptacle; low-impedance motor means connected to said washing means in driving relation thereto; means for supplying fresh water to said receptacle including highimpedance valve-controlling solenoid means, energization of said solenoid means causing Water to be supplied to said receptacle; means for draining said containing means;

a wash water storage and re-use system comprising means for storing liquid drained from said containing means in a storage reservoir; means including an intermediate-impedance return pump and conduit means for returning stored liquid from said reservoir back into said receptacle; a first circuit for energizing said solenoid means including said solenoid means, said pump, and said motor means in series relation; a second circuit for energizing said pump including said pump and said motor means in series relation and including a short circuit across said solenoid means; a third circuit for energizing said motor means including said motor means and including a short circuit across said pump and said solenoid means; manual means for selecting one of said first and second circuits; and water level responsive switch means associated with said tub and effective in response to a predetermined amount of water in said tub to short out said solenoid means and said pump thereby to provide said third circuit.

6. A washing machine comprising: water containing means including an outer imperforate tub and an inner clothes-containing receptacle having overflow openings adjacent the top thereof and having at least one opening of substantially less area than said overflow openings positioned substantially below the top thereof; means for supplying fresh water to said receptacle including highimpedance valve-controlling solenoid means, energization of said solenoid means causing water to be supplied to said receptacle; means for draining said containing means; a wash water storage and re-use system comprising means for storing liquid drained from said containing means in a storage reservoir; means including an intermediateimpedance return pump and conduit means for returning the stored liquid from said reservoir back into said receptacle; a first circuit for energizing said solenoid means including said solenoid means and said pump in series relation; a second circuit for energizing said pump including said pump and including a short circuit across said solenoid means; manual means for selecting one of said first and second circuits; and water level responsive switch means associated with said tub and effective in response to a predetermined amount of water in said tub which has overflowed out of said openings in said receptacle to short out said solenoid means and said pump thereby to stop further entry of water to said receptacle.

No references cited. 

